3 Tips For Stressed Out Single Parents
Today, as many as three out of four couples with children now end in divorce. As such, more parents than ever find themselves handling parenthood on their own. Without the help of other family members, whether it’s a sibling or parent, taking care of kids on your own can be challenging. The younger children are, the more difficult it can be to work a full time job, and make it from point A to point B for school pick ups and drop offs.
Life as a solo parent is certainly a challenge, but it doesn’t have to be impossible. By knowing the right tips and tricks, you can overcome the challenges, and not only survive but thrive. Here are some of the best tips to reduce your stress, and be the best parent you can be— even on your own.
Plan Ahead
Half of the battle of single parenting is organizing and juggling. You can eliminate a significant amount of the stress by planning ahead. Whether you purchase meal kits to make dinner preparation go faster, or have your children bathe at night rather than the morning to make sure getting dressed goes smoother, there are are always opportunities to do things ahead of time in a faster or more efficient way.
Rather than waiting until the last second, always think three steps ahead. Ask yourself what challenges may arise during a certain scenario, and what you can do to make them go smoother. Sometimes just a little foresight can make a huge difference.
Create a Network
Even though you may not have any family members who can help you with your parenting, doesn’t mean you can’t build a community and network. Don’t be shy to meet other parents and community members who can support you if you need help.
Whether it’s a neighbor who you trust to watch the kids while you run to the store, or another parent who you can trade school drop offs with— creating a community can be one of the best things you do for yourself and for your children as a single parent.
Keep a Routine
Child psychologists agree that one of the healthiest things you can do for a child to encourage confidence is to maintain a daily routine and schedule. When your child knows what to expect every day, they feel safe and surrounded by consistency. Try to keep the same ritual every day between dinner, bath time, and your bedtime routine. The more consistent you can stay with it, the less hectic your days will be, and the less your child will be prone to having a meltdown.
At the end of the long day it can be hard to improvise when you’re tired and ready to go to bed, so a routine also helps you stay sane so that you know what steps happen when.